ThinzarNwe, Narinjara News, 25 September 2024

Manyfamilies,  who fled the conflicts in Arakan State due to the militarysituation to Yangon in mainland Burma,  are now returning back because ofrising house rents and hardships in living conditions.

A displacedman from Sittwe, now living in Yangon, told Narinjara News that a large numberof internally displaced persons (IDPs) are returning to their home places. Heargued that the steep rise in rental prices, lack of employment opportunities,racial discrimination and overall difficult living conditions were driving themto return back.

"ManyArakanese IDPs, who fled to Yangon, are now going back to Sittwe. They werestruggling in the mainland due to unemployment and soaring rental costs, whichhas gone muh higher in July and August,” he added.

The monthlyrent for an apartment on the 7th and  8th floors used to cost over Kyats100,000 to 200,000. Now, it costs up to Kyats 300,000. The apartments on the3rd floor were available for Kyats  200,000 per unit and now it costsKyats 500,000.  The ground-floor apartments were previously rented forKyats 400,000 to 500,000 and now per unit costs Kyats 1,200,000 to 1,300,000.

In othertownships  namely Kyauk Myaung, Tarmwe, Thingangyun and Dawbon also, the house rent rose dramatically.

A local manfrom Sittwe, who fled the conflict to Yangon, told Narinjara News that if anyfamily member or relative come to stay with the tenants, the landlord may askto leave the house.

A localwoman from Sittwe stated that many families, who fled the conflicts, are nowstruggling to survive in Yangon as they are running out of resources.

"Overtime, families like ours are facing a lot of difficulties. Our savings aredepleted and finding a job in Yangon becomes too difficult. There may bearrests and we have to register as overnight guests. As the Arakanese, we arefacing all kinds of problems here in Yangon," she added.

SinceMarch, most of Sittwe’s residents fled to mainland cities like Yangon andNaypyidaw fearing the outbreak of gun fighting.

Meanwhile,the  Arakanese individuals who hold 11/National Registration Cards often face travel restrictions in the former capital city of Myanmar. (File photo)